We've talked in the past about how great of a city Chicago is to visit for a guys weekend getaway, but it is also a fantastic city for a romantic getaway too. From fantastic museums to some of the world's best and most creative food, Chicago is a great city to share with someone special. 

There's no doubt that appliances are rapidly becoming an integral part of the smart home. While lights, environmental controls, and security are important... let's face it, food is pretty darn important too. As a gadget-loving guy who this year discovered that he has no more counter space for more cooking machines, this new LG InstaView would be a godsend because it not only includes air fryer functionality and LG's ThinQ connection but now features an Air Sous Vide as well.

Spills are a part of life. Whether you’ve knocked over some wine or your best mate dropped a slice of pizza on the brand new carpet you’ve only just installed last week – eventually, everyone has to deal with life’s little messes. Food spills on carpets and soft furnishings aren’t a great look. So to help you get rid of food stains quickly and effectively, we’ve collected some of the top tips.

Every cook needs a good set of dishes as well as bakeware to prepare the perfect meal. For me, I've searched for a good, lightweight, classic simple set and I finally found it. The Luminarc Smart Cuisine Baker's Essentials set that they sent me for this review is exactly what I've been looking for.

Sometimes you know exactly what you want... other times you just like to be surprised. That's the principle behind the "Ultimate Foodie Mystery Box" over at Cooking Panda. Frankly it's a bit weird with an eclectic selection of products ranging from pickles to syrup for your coffee to jerky flavors that probably won't ever make it to mass retail distribution. That's the fun of it though.

I get a lot of stuff to test out and with pasta sauce, there's a lot of mediocre products out there. I think that's why I usually take a "semi homemade" approach with sauce and look at a jar of spaghetti sauce as the base that I can then add flavor, chunks of vegetables etc. Inevitably though, it never tastes as good as if it were simply made the right way from the beginning. That's why I'm absolutely in love with Jar Goods and the sauces they sent me to test out.

If you are looking for a fun and unique gift idea for your favorite foodie then I can think of few ideas that are more fun than sending them a pink pineapple. Yes, I said it... this is a pink pineapple and it is juicy and delicious plus it comes in a great gift pack to keep it safe during transit. 

Cooking the perfect steak can be a challenge and even more so at home. While there are world-famous steakhouses all across the country, there's something enticing about going back to the source and enjoying a steak without the pretense you might find in cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. We did a virtual steak tour of Omaha, Nebraska recently and let me tell you - my mouth is still watering! 

 Looking for some recipe ideas that feature cheese? Check these tasty creations out!

Tucson, Arizona is one of the hidden gems for a guys trip. It’s a perfect distance for road trips from Phoenix and while a bit farther from San Diego and Los Angeles, it’s an easy drive for guys looking for golf, history, culture, and of course great Mexican Food!

Soybean oil is the most widely used edible oil in the United States, and while soy has been the target of attacks by mostly well-meaning people, the reality is that there is a lot of misinformation and confusion out there as well. Let’s take a look at some of those myths and realities.

Wine has a bad reputation of being complex and unapproachable and that's unfortunate. For me though, wine is fun and made to be enjoyed. That's why when I had the chance to combine two of my favorite things in life, I jumped at the opportunity. So today, I've taken five affordable wines and paired them with five different flavors from Jack Link's Jerky.

Key Lime Pie is pretty much the iconic food of the Florida Keys and I certainly enjoyed my share of them while exploring the Keys last month. Instead of a cliche roundup of "10 Best Key Lime Pies", let's take a look at all the creative ways that chefs, mixologists, bakers, and confectioners have embraced this unique flavor profile.

Matzo Ball Soup is one of my favorite winter treats - though if I was honest, I enjoy it all year round. However, winter is the best time to enjoy a steaming bowl of soup and so that's why I'm excited that we're back in season again. One of the things that is extra special about matzo ball soup though is it's history and cultural impact. While clearly it has evolved from Jewish / Hebrew cuisine but is widely enjoyed by religious and non-religious foodies worldwide today. Let's take a look at some things that make matzo ball soup special and why it continues to endure as a popular dish thousands of years later.

National Gumbo Day is October 12, 2019 and we're big fans of this hearty dish and how it reflects the local tastes and personal styles of the cook. While it is tempting to try and put together a list of "America's Best Gumbo" that would be an exercise in futility. The truth is that the best gumbo is the one that is made from the heart and served up with a smile. So, gator, seafood, sausage, pork, or something else, let's grab a spoon and check out these great places to get your gumbo on!

There's a lot of advice out there on how to create the perfect charcuterie board for wine tasting, but this is my advice. Take it or leave it, but I like to create a charcuterie platter to complement the wines that I'm about to taste - but also provide a variety of flavors and textures to entertain your palette. Some charcuterie boards are designed specifically to pair with an individual wine but I'm about having fun and exploring flavor combinations. Regardless of your style, there are some core guidelines to follow, so here's my advice on how to create the perfect charcuterie platter for wine tasting.

Now it's 25th year, Taste of The Gaslamp is one of the biggest food and wine events in San Diego and it's a great opportunity to check out a bunch of different restaurants around town. I live downtown so I can walk to virtually anything I want - but I've gotten into a rut and only go to my favorites these days. Unfortunately the restaurant industry is a dynamic environment with new places opening and old places closing almost on a daily basis. This means that while I have my favorites - it can be hard to find new ones... before it's too late. So, this gave me (and other residents) the opportunity to explore them for one low price.

I love cooking, eating, taking photos of food, and sharing meals with interesting people. Food is something that I'm pretty passionate about and so I was excited to dig into the survey results that Knorr sent me from their survey of more than 2,000 Americans. The survey included questions about food preferences, cooking styles, spending habits and more. As someone who loves food I was a bit surprised by some of the findings but maybe I shouldn't be. Here's what they found...

A Champagne toast seems to be the icon of welcoming in the New Year or really just celebrating pretty much anything. There is a sort of excitement when you pop open that bottle of bubbly and so it's no wonder that it has been the drink of choice when it comes to a celebration. However, much of what we consider in the United States as "Champagne" is really just "Sparkling Wine" and to complicate things further that's not the only bubbly wine out there for us to enjoy. Let's take a look at some different types of bubbly wines that you can enjoy during your New Years celebration!

I don't go green or organic unless it tastes good. The thrill of labels simply doesn't matter to me... but when it's delicious AND organic, that's when I get excited. When True Story Foods contacted me and offered to send over some of their products to check out, how could I refuse. A few weeks later they filled my fridge with organic hot dogs, sausages, deli meats, and pork - all gluten free, dairy free, soy free, nitrate free and a free of a bunch of other stuff. What it wasn't free of is taste and quality.